Please be considerate.

With the holiday weekend here, the celebrations have begun and the fireworks are lighting up our skies.

While I love a good firework show myself, many individuals do not enjoy it and some are even terrified of them.

Our son has never watched fireworks outside and I honestly don’t know that he ever will.

We ask and we try but it’s a big no for him.

So we watch them on TV snuggled up in our favorite pajamas.

One thing we can’t control is what others are doing outside around us.

And this is true for so many families this weekend.

So I’m asking a small favor.

If you’re having a party and you know that one of your neighbors is autistic or has sensory sensitivities, please be mindful of when and where you set off fireworks.

If you’re able to light them off at a different friend’s house or in an area that’s farther away, I’m sure your neighbor would be incredibly grateful.

You see, this isn’t just about “waking kids up” or “close the windows and they’ll be fine.”

This is so much more than that.

Sensory sensitivity to loud noises can be extremely overwhelming and scary.

It actually hurts their ears.

They’re scared.

They’re holding their ears and hiding somewhere in the house.

They cry, they get anxious and they pace the halls until it’s over.

There might even be someone attending your party that is autistic or someone who doesn’t like loud sounds.

You can offer different things to help them.

Noise cancelling headphones.

Earbuds.

A quit room in your house.

Or a seat in a nearby car so they can enjoy the beauty of the fireworks without all of the sound.

Ask how you can help and offer support.

Kindness goes a long way my friends.

We would never ask people to not celebrate America’s birthday the way they want to.

But we are asking for you to please be considerate of those who celebrate differently.